Millendo expands orphan endocrinology pipeline with acquisition

Millendo Therapeutics, a University of Michigan, USA, start-up company, says it has acquired French drug developer Alizé Pharma SAS in a stock-based transaction, the value of which has not been disclosed.

“The acquisition of Alizé Pharma SAS transforms Millendo into an innovative endocrinology company with two first-in-class, late-stage clinical assets and a presence in both the United States and Europe. With livoletide, we have acquired a promising asset that has demonstrated encouraging efficacy and tolerability in a Phase II clinical trial in PWS [Prader-Willi Syndrome],” said Julia Owens, president and chief executive of Millendo Therapeutics.

“Alizé Pharma’s research and development operations complement our existing expertise in developing novel treatments for orphan endocrine indications. Together with our on-going nevanimibe (ATR-101) program, which recently reported positive top-line Phase II results in classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, we continue to grow our leadership in the endocrinology space by advancing these promising new therapies. We look forward to sharing more details during our presentation at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference next month,” Dr Owens added.

Early last year Millendo announced an exclusive license agreement with Anglo-Swedish pharma major AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) for the worldwide development and commercialization rights to test a new compound, MLE4901, for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, Millendo last month revealed that it decided to discontinue development of MLE4901 “after assessment of the clinical risks and benefits of the program.”